April 21 airpower summary

  • Published
Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 21 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan

Close-Air Support

Oruzgan
Coalition operators provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Operators observed enemy forces preparing for an attack on friendly forces. The operators confirmed coordinates and fired a missile against the enemy position. The engagement eliminated the threat to friendly forces.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When a public uprising was observed with nearby enemy forces possibly carrying rocket-propelled grenades, shows of force were conducted to deter enemy action in the area. The shows of force, with flares launched, were declared successful by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.

Soltani
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces convoy and escort for a quick-reaction force operation in the area. The aircrews conducted a show of force, with flares, that ground controllers confirmed as successful.

Tirgari
Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted a show of force, with flares launched, over the area. The show of force was confirmed successful by ground controllers.

Tarin Kowt
Coalition pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and a coalition convoy. The pilots conducted shows of force, with flares launched, in the vicinity of the convoy, which had encountered an improvised explosive device. The shows of force were confirmed successful by JTACs.

Shinkay
Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces helicopter extraction operation. The aircrews conducted a show of force, with flares launched, over the area. The show of force was confirmed successful by ground controllers.

Kandahar
Navy F/A-18F aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted a show of force, with flares launched, over the area to deter a possible enemy attack. The show of force was confirmed successful by ground controllers.

Airlift Action

Oruzgan Province
An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 71,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Paktika Province
An Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 34,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Air Operations in Iraq:

Nothing significant to report today.

Airpower Statistics:

Close-Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 77
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 22

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 42
Sorties flown in Iraq: 26

On April 20:

Air Mobility:
Air Force airlift sorties: 195
Short tons of delivered cargo: 1,164
Passengers: approximately 4,400
Airdropped cargo: approximately 105,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 50
Fuel delivered: approximately 3.3 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 248

Personnel Recovery, Casualty Evacuation and Aero-medical Evacuations:
Casualty evacuation -- Air Force rescue Airmen transported 12 patients
Saves: 6
Assists: 6
Other: 0
Hero Flights: 0
Sorties flown to support OEF: 20
Sorties flown to support OIF: 2